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1h ago

U.S. Makes Visa Bond Program Permanent for 50 Countries

The State Department says pilot data showing a sharp fall in overstays justifies the rule change.

A general view of a U.S. State Department sign outside the U.S. State Department building in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
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Representational image showing US dollars. (Unsplash)

Overview

  • The final rule, published this week and taking effect on August 3, 2026, lets consular officers require refundable bonds of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 from B‑1 and B‑2 applicants from 50 designated countries.
  • The regulation removes the pilot's $5,000 option, raises the cap from $15,000 to $20,000, and gives consular officers case‑by‑case discretion to set bond amounts before visa interviews.
  • The State Department says the pilot cut overstays from about 45,500 in 2024 to fewer than 50 in the first 10 months of the program and estimates that deporting an overstayer costs roughly $18,000 per person.
  • Government data showed far more applicants were covered than expected—about 20,000 versus an initial 2,000 estimate—nearly half declined to post bonds, and B‑1/B‑2 issuance to covered nationals fell about 83 percent.
  • Advocates warn the bond will impose steep, refundable upfront costs that could block travel for family, study, business and tourism from poorer countries and the administration may expand the list of affected nations.